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This Week in Bridge (190) Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level Interference ©AiB Robert S. Todd Level: 3 [email protected]

General There are many systems the opponents play in order to interfere over our 1NT opening bid, but almost all of these systems use the 3-level (actually 2NT+) for the same meanings – 2NT as a weak bid showing both minors and 3-level bids as weak with a long suit, preemptive. It is important that you and partner are on the same page for how to deal with this higher-level interference. Let’s see how.

Vs. 2NT for the Minors After partner opens 1NT and RHO bids 2NT to show both minors, then most partnerships play systems on at the 3-level. 1NT 2NT __? • X Penalty-oriented, 8+ points (length in at least one ) • 3♣* Stayman, game forcing • 3♦* Transfer to ♥, 5+c♥, 8+ points (invitational+) • 3♥* Transfer to ♠, 5+c♠, 8+ poitns (invitational+) • 3♠ … Illogical bid! • 3NT To play • 4♣ Gerber • 4♦* Texas Transfer, 6+c♥ • 4♥* Texas Transfer, 6+c♠ 4-level systems are still on -- unchanged!

With length in the Majors (not the minors), at least one 4c Major, and only invitational values, Responder does not have enough values to bid immediately, but instead starts by passing and then makes a of whichever minor suit (3♣ or 3♦) the opponents bid next.

Example 1NT 2NT P 3♣ P P X

[email protected] PO Box 14915 ♠ Tallahassee, FL 32317 850 570 6459 Adventures in Bridge, Inc. www.advinbridge.com Vs. 3♣ After partner’s 1NT opening bid and a jump to 3♣ by RHO, Responder has a negative double available to show 8+ points (invitational+ values) and at least one 4-card Major. Other bids at the 3-level are natural and game forcing. 4-level bids that are jumps – 4♦ or 4♥ -- remain Texas Transfers and most partnerships play a 4♣ cuebid to show 5-5 Majors with game forcing values (though it is possible to play this 4♣ bid still as Gerber if your partnership chooses.)

1NT 3♣ __? • X 8+ points, at least 4c-Major • 3♦ 5+c♦ points, 10+ points, GF • 3♥ 5+c♥ points, 10+ points, GF • 3♠ 5+c♠ points, 10+ points, GF • 3NT 10+ points, GF (may or may not have a ♣ stopper) • 4♣ 5-5 Majors, 10+ points, GF • 4♦* Texas Transfer, 6+c♥, 10+ points, GF • 4♥* Texas Transfer, 6+c♠, 10+ points, GF • 4♠ 4-4 minors, Quantitative, about 16 points (same as your normal agreement) • 4NT Quantitative, about 16 points

Advanced Note Some partnerships play Systems On vs. a 3♣ . • X Stayman, 8+ points • 3♦* Transfer, 5+c♥ points, 8+ points, Invitational+ • 3♥* Transfer, 5+c♠ points, 8+ points, Invitational+

Vs. 3♦+ Preempts If the opponents the auction even higher (3♦+), then our traditional Texas Transfer bids (4♦ and 4♥) are not both jumps and so most partnerships play that those transfers are now off—making bids at both the 3-level and 4-level natural and game forcing. Double remains used as a negative double, but the higher it is, the more values it promises.

Finally, a cuebid of the opponent’s suit shows a 2-suited hand and game forcing values: • 1NT 3♣ 4♣ 5-5 Majors • 1NT 3♦ 4♦ 5-5 Majors • 1NT 3♥ 4♥ 5c♠ and 5c minor • 1NT 3♠ 4♠ Slam Try, at least 5-5 minors (some partnerships play differently)

Note: It is possible to have the agreement that Texas Transfers are on even if not a jump. The most important thing is for you and partner to agree. You do not want to bid 4♥ expecting it to be a transfer and have partner pass.

TWiB (190) Responding to 1NT vs. 3-Level Interference 2 Adventures in Bridge, Inc. www.advinbridge.com

Advanced Note In order to rig